List of medical abbreviations: D

• D&C - Dilation and curettage, a procedure to remove tissue from inside the uterus. dilation and curettage
• D&E - Dilation and evacuation, a procedure similar to a d&c but used later in pregnancy. dilation and evacuation
• D/C - Discontinue or discharge, depending on context. patient discharge
• D/O - Disorder. medical disorder
• D/T - Due to.
• D25 - 25% dextrose in water, a high concentration dextrose solution.
• D4T - Stavudine, an antiretroviral medication used to prevent and treat hiv/aids. stavudine
• D5 - 5% dextrose in water, a solution used for medical treatments. dextrose solutions
• D5W - 5% dextrose in water, another way to denote d5. dextrose solutions
• DA - Dopamine, a neurotransmitter. dopamine
• DAEC - Diffusely adherent escherichia coli, a type of e. Coli. escherichia coli infections
• DAF - Decay-accelerating factor, a protein that regulates complement activation.
• DAI - Diffuse axonal injury, a type of traumatic brain injury. diffuse axonal injury
• DALY - Disability-adjusted life year, a measure of overall disease burden. disability-adjusted life year
• DAPT - Dual antiplatelet therapy, the use of two medications that help prevent blood clots. antiplatelet therapy
• DBE - Double-balloon enteroscopy, a procedure to visualize the small intestine. double-balloon enteroscopy
• DBP - Diastolic blood pressure, the bottom number in a blood pressure reading. blood pressure
• DBS - Deep brain stimulation, a neurosurgical procedure. deep brain stimulation
• DCBE - Double-contrast barium enema, an x-ray procedure of the large intestine. barium enema
• DCCV - Direct current cardioversion, a procedure to restore normal heart rhythm. cardioversion
• DCD - Donation after circulatory death, an organ donation method.
• DCDA - Dichorionic-diamniotic, a type of twin pregnancy. twin pregnancy
• DCIS - Ductal carcinoma in situ, a non-invasive breast cancer. ductal carcinoma in situ
• DCM - Dilated cardiomyopathy, a condition where the heart becomes enlarged and cannot pump blood efficiently. dilated cardiomyopathy
• DCP - Diclofenac potassium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. diclofenac
• DD - Differential diagnosis, the process of differentiating between two or more conditions that share similar signs or symptoms. differential diagnosis
• DDAVP - Desmopressin, a medication used to treat conditions like diabetes insipidus and bedwetting. desmopressin
• DDC - Dopamine decarboxylase, an enzyme involved in the synthesis of dopamine.
• DDD - Daily defined dose, a statistical measure of drug consumption. defined daily dose
• DDH - Developmental dysplasia of the hip, a condition of the hip joint. developmental dysplasia of the hip
• DDI - Drug-drug interaction, when one drug affects the activity of another when both are administered together. drug nteraction
• DDx - Differential diagnosis, see above.
• DES - Diethylstilbestrol, a synthetic form of estrogen, or data encryption standard, depending on context. diethylstilbestrol
• DEXA - Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, a test that measures bone density. bone density
• DH - Dermatitis herpetiformis, a skin condition. dermatitis herpetiformis
• DHE - Dihydroergotamine, a medication used to treat migraines. dihydroergotamine
• DHEA-S - Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, a male sex hormone that affects the growth and development of both male and female characteristics. dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate
• DHF - Dengue hemorrhagic fever, a severe form of dengue fever. dengue fever
• DHR - Drug hypersensitivity reaction, an adverse drug reaction. drug allergy
• DHT - Dihydrotestosterone, a hormone. dihydrotestosterone
• DI - Diabetes insipidus, a condition characterized by excessive thirst and excretion of large amounts of severely dilute urine. diabetes insipidus
• DIB - Difficulty in breathing.
• DIC - Disseminated intravascular coagulation, a condition affecting the blood's ability to clot. disseminated intravascular coagulation
• DICVP - dicloxacillin venous pharmacokinetics: an antibiotic used in the treatment of infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
• DIL - drug-induced lupus: an autoimmune disorder caused by chronic use of certain drugs.
• DILI - drug-induced liver injury: liver damage due to prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, or supplements.
• DIP - distal interphalangeal: the joints closest to the fingertips.
• DIU - device for intermittent urinary: refers to instruments used for self-catheterization.
• DJD - degenerative joint disease: another term for osteoarthritis, a type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down.
• DKA - diabetic ketoacidosis: a serious diabetes complication where the body produces excess blood acids (ketones).
• DLB - dementia with lewy bodies: a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function.
• DLCO - diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide: a clinical test that measures the ability of the lungs to transfer gas from inhaled air to the red blood cells in pulmonary capillaries.
• DLE - discoid lupus erythematosus: a chronic skin condition of sores with inflammation and scarring favoring the face, ears, and scalp.
• DLI - donor lymphocyte infusion: a form of adoptive immunotherapy used after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
• DLP - dyslipidemia: an abnormal amount of lipids in the blood.
• DM - diabetes mellitus: a group of diseases that result in too much sugar in the blood (high blood glucose).
• DM2 - diabetes mellitus type 2: a long-term metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar, insulin resistance, and relative lack of insulin.
• DMARD - disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: a class of drugs used to treat inflammatory arthritis that can slow down or prevent joint damage and reduce inflammation.
• DMD - duchenne muscular dystrophy: a severe type of muscular dystrophy that primarily affects boys.
• DME - diabetic macular edema: a complication of diabetes caused by fluid accumulation in the macula, or central part of the retina, which can lead to vision impairment.
• DMPA - depot medroxyprogesterone acetate: a long-term birth control shot that contains the hormone progestin.
• DMSA - dimercaptosuccinic acid: a chelating agent used to treat lead poisoning and to remove heavy metals from the body.
• DMT - disease-modifying treatments: treatments that can slow the progression of a disease, particularly in multiple sclerosis.
• DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid: the molecule that carries genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses.
• DNACPR - do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a legal order written by a doctor in consultation with a patient or their family that cpr should not be attempted should the patient's condition deteriorate.
• DNAR - do not attempt resuscitation: similar to dnacpr, it is a request not to have cpr if a person's heart stops or if they stop breathing.
• DNI - do not intubate: an advance directive given by a patient indicating that they do not want to be placed on a mechanical ventilator.
• DNR - do not resuscitate: an order to provide no resuscitation to a patient in case of cardiac or respiratory arrest.
• DO - doctor of osteopathic medicine: a professional doctoral degree for physicians in the united states.
• DOA - dead on arrival: indicates that a patient was found dead upon arrival at the hospital.
• DOB - date of birth: the date when someone was born, often used in medical records.
• DOE - dyspnea on exertion: shortness of breath during activity.
• DOH - department of health: a part of government which focuses on issues related to the general health of the citizenry.
• DOL - date of last...: used in medical history taking to indicate the last occurrence of a significant event, such as "Date of last menstrual period (dolmp)."
• DOS - date of service: the date when healthcare services were provided to a patient.
• DOSS - Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, a medication used to treat constipation.
• DP - Dorsalis pedis, referring to the dorsalis pedis artery on the top of the foot, or doctor of podiatry.
• DPH - Doctor of public health, a professional doctorate degree in public health.
• DPL - Diagnostic peritoneal lavage, a surgical diagnostic procedure to investigate for abdominal trauma.
• DPLD - Diffuse parenchymal lung disease, another term for interstitial lung disease.
• DPM - Doctor of podiatric medicine, a medical professional who diagnoses and treats foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg.
• DPT - Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, a combination vaccine against three infectious diseases.
• DRE - Digital rectal examination, a physical examination method to check for problems with organs or other structures in the pelvis and lower belly.
• DRPLA - Dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder.
• DRT - Dead right there, colloquial and informal term used to describe a patient who was found deceased upon arrival of emergency services.
• DS - Double strength, often used in the context of medications.
• DSA - Digital subtraction angiography, an imaging technique used to visualize blood vessels.
• DSD - Disorders of sex development, conditions involving the development of chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex.
• DSM - Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, a handbook used by healthcare professionals as the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders.
• DT - Delirium tremens, a rapid onset of confusion usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol.
• DTA - Differential thermal analysis, a thermoanalytic technique.
• DTP - Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, refers to the combination of dtp vaccine.
• DTR - Deep tendon reflexes, reflexes tested by doctors to assess the nervous system.
• DTaP - Diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis vaccine, an immunization given to children to prevent these diseases.
• DTs - Delirium tremens, severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms.
• DU - Duodenal ulcer, a type of peptic ulcer that occurs in the duodenum.
• DUB - Dysfunctional uterine bleeding, abnormal genital tract bleeding based in the uterus and found in the absence of organic disease.
• DVT - Deep vein thrombosis, a blood clot that forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs.
• DW - Dextrose in water, a solution used in intravenous therapy.
• DX - Diagnosis, the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon.
• DXA - Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, a means of measuring bone mineral density.
• DZ - Dizygotic, referring to twins that are non-identical, as they arise from two separate eggs.
• Di-Di - Dichorionic-diamniotic, a type of twin pregnancy where each twin has its own chorionic and amnionic sacs.
• DiPerTe - Diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, a combination vaccine against three infectious diseases.
• DiTe - Diphtheria, tetanus, a combination vaccine against these two diseases.
• Dis - Disease, a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism.
• Disch - Discharge, the release of a patient from a hospital or other care setting.
• Dsg - Dressing, a piece of material applied to a wound to promote healing and/or prevent further harm.
• Dx - Diagnosis: the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon, typically referring to the process of determining a disease or condition from its symptoms. medical diagnosis
• d - Day: a unit of time representing a period of 24 hours. Used in medical prescriptions to indicate the number of days for which medication should be taken. daily dosing
• dL - Deciliter: a metric unit of volume equal to one-tenth of a liter. Commonly used in medical laboratory reports to denote blood or fluid measurements. volume measurement
• dl - Deciliter: see above. Sometimes the lowercase form is used, although dl is more conventional to differentiate from "Dl" which might be confused with "Deciliter" or "Deciliter".
• dsRNA - Double-stranded rna: a molecule of rna consisting of two complementary strands. It plays a role in various biological processes and is also significant in the study of viral infections and genetic regulation. biological molecule
• dx - Diagnosis: see above. An alternative abbreviation for diagnosis. Sometimes used in shorthand medical notes.